Hulu shows heading for Nintendo Wii and 3DS

Computer gamers check out the Wii in August 2011 during the gamescom fair in Cologne, western Germany. Nintendo said Friday that online video service Hulu Plus will stream movies and television shows to Wii and 3DS videogame systems by the end of the year.

Computer gamers check out the Wii in August 2011 during the gamescom fair in Cologne, western Germany. Nintendo said Friday that online video service Hulu Plus will stream movies and television shows to Wii and 3DS videogame systems by the end of the year.

Nintendo said Friday that online video service Hulu Plus will stream movies and television shows to Wii and 3DS videogame systems by the end of the year.

The Japanese videogame giant also planned to release in November a software update that will let people record 3D video using the latest version of its handheld gaming device.

"Nintendo 3DS continues to evolve with great new features and functions designed to reinforce its position as a premiere entertainment device," said Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime.

Hulu Plus will be available with a separate subscription costing $7.99 per month. Subscribers will be able to access Hulu's extensive library of television episodes and films.

Nintendo touted new games and other content for its glasses-free 3D handheld game consoles, which have not been the hit the company had expected when the innovative gadgets were released early this year.

The company hoped to heighten the appeal of its offerings during the precious year-end holiday shopping season.

Nintendo slashed the console's price by up to 40 percent six months after launch.

Last month, Nintendo unveiled a host of new titles to be released for the 3DS, which offers 3D game play without the need for special glasses.

In the coming weeks, Nintendo will release Super Mario 3D, Mario Kart 7 and Pokemon games, according to Fils-Aime.

Kyoto-based Nintendo -- which faces stiff competition from easily downloadable smartphone and tablet computer games and social networking websites -- booked a net loss in April-June, hurt by few hit game titles and a high yen.

At the end of June, 3DS game titles came to 40 in Japan, 36 in the Americas and 33 in other regions, mostly Europe.